by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for general education students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Snow College tops our 2027 list of the best value general education schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Snow College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Ephraim. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $42,776. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Colorado Mountain College one of the best values for general education. Located in the town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado Mountain College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,616, while out-of-state students pay about $12,840. Students borrow a median of $12,953 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,694. That is a strong return on a $12,953 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Southern Utah University, which ranked #4. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $71,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Colorado State University Pueblo earned it the #5 place for general education. Located in the city of Pueblo, Colorado State University Pueblo is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,944. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,325. General Education graduates of Colorado State University Pueblo earn a median of $48,078 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,325 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Wyoming came in at #6 for value in general education this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $80,930. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,936. General Education graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $44,479 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Idaho State University came in at #8 for value in general education this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. In-state tuition and fees average $8,610, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,640. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Idaho ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,844. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,246. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Mesa State College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Grand Junction, Mesa State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, with out-of-state students paying around $25,124. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mesa State College generally make around $52,796. That is a strong return on a $22,310 median debt. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Metropolitan State College Of Denver ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,124, while out-of-state students pay about $30,684. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Metropolitan State College Of Denver generally make around $49,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western State College Of Colorado earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Gunnison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, compared with $24,434 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,455 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $51,949 early in their careers. Set against $23,455 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western State College Of Colorado admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Montana Western came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Dillon, The University Of Montana Western is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,669 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,130. Students borrow a median of $22,484 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from The University Of Montana Western generally make around $36,924. That is a strong return on a $22,484 median debt. The University Of Montana Western admits about 100% of applicants.
Fort Lewis College landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,888. Early-career general education graduates make about $30,676. That is a strong return on a $18,888 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,974 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $46,262 early in their careers. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.
Boise State University earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,311. Early-career general education graduates make about $49,059. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $55,861. Set against $20,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.